Costa bravo! Diego at the double to down Sociedad

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Diego Costa scored twice on his Stamford Bridge début as Chelsea completed their pre-season preparations with a comfortable win over Real Sociedad.

In what was the first friendly game played at Stamford Bridge since a 1-1 draw with Celtic in 2006, José Mourinho's men exhibited complete control over their opponents, who will compete in this season's UEFA Europa League.

With the ground at capacity and the fans in fine voice, each of Mourinho's squad was introduced one-by-one prior to the warm-up, with the loudest cheer reserved for the return of club legend Didier Drogba.

But it was Drogba's strike partner Diego Costa who stole the limelight on his unofficial home bow, netting twice early in the first half to announce his arrival to the Stamford Bridge faithful.

Neither finish quite matched the Brazilian-born Spain international's exquisite solo goal against Fenerbahce last week, but the former Atletico Madrid man demonstrated the predatory instinct that may well make him a Premier League hit as he gave the Blues a first-minute lead from Ramires' pass.

And there were barely six minutes on the clock when he tapped in the rebound from Andre Schurrle's cultured, curling effort to give the Blues a degree of comfort in double-quick time - the £32 million man diverting in the ball after Schurrle's initial shot had hit the woodwork.

Sandwiched in between Costa's early brace was a chance for Ramires, who badly skewed wide, and Eden Hazard had the opportunity at the end of the half to enhance the Blues' lead, only for his low free-kick to be parried by Zubikarai as the Blues cruised through the opening forty-five minutes with little threat to Thibaut Courtois' goal.

Almost immediately after the interval Costa had the chance to add to his two earlier goals, but he wasted his hat-trick chance when he failed to convert Hazard's cut-back after fast and furious wing play by substitute Willian.

That was to be Costa's final involvement as he was hauled off to a standing ovation for compatriot Fernando Torres, who came close to adding the third himself when he leapt well to direct Filipe Luis' cross just wide of the far post.

The full-time whistle was sounded to bring to an end Chelsea's pre-season preparations, though, in truth, this game had been settled as early as the sixth minute when Costa gave his side breathing space after that relentless start.

Whilst results and performances this summer have certainly been of a mixed quality, Mourinho will be pleased to have seen his side given a number of stern examinations, and the Portuguese will now surely be closer to agreeing on his starting eleven for the trip to Turf Moor in six days' time.

Individual displays have slowly improved, but it is Costa who has caught the eye the most, with four goals this pre-season representing a promising start to the Spaniard's Chelsea career.

Costa would not be the first Blues striker in recent times to begin his time with the club a flurry of goals and fade away, however, but the man who played such a key role in Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid winning La Liga last season looks set to have a say on the destination of the Premier League title this time around.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

That was fast, like always. ?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I do try!

[zolayes 14,489]

Diego wasn't as aggressive tonight

[Saeed_BK 6]

What a preseason Costa had.. Lets hope he will EXPLODE in the EPL !! Good work boys <3